Put Emergencies on ICE

Programming a simple acronym into a cell phone could be a useful resource for paramedics when they're trying to reach a victim's loved ones during an emergency. In light of last summer's terrorist attacks in London, a British paramedic was struck with the idea of doing just that, and the country quickly adopted the practice.

Here's how it works: Cell-phone users program "ICE" (short for "in case of an emergency") followed by a person's name and phone number into their phones' contact lists. If a person is injured and unable to communicate, the paramedics can easily know who to call and how to reach them.

Though an ICE campaign like Britain's is beginning to catch on, members of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics are hopeful the practice will become more prevalent.

YOU, Spring 2006